Psychology Movie Project
Please see the list of movies to the right for this assignment. If your parents/guardians do not permit you to watch films with certain ratings, please do not use this assignment to go against their wishes. There is no real shortage of films concerning mental illness. Good ones are however in short supply. Choosing a movie because you saw it years ago is not a great way to find a good movie to analyze and write an excellent paper on. Choosing a movie because it is easy for you to get your hand on is not the best tactic either. From start to finish you have a few weeks to find, watch, analyze, and write. The paper is due May 21st, (25% off for each day late). You must get approval on your film if it is not on the list on this website. You will need to do research online in order to make treatment recommendations. I deleted the link to a larger list of movies that was here because people thought that was the approved list....even though it was clearly labeled as not approved.
In class we will discuss how the DSM works, what treatment plans are, and all that you need to know to complete this project. However, you must find and watch the movie on your own time.
You are not creating a summary or review of the movie; you are analyzing the characters’ portrayal of or reactions to mental illness. To do this, you will address three components of the film: accuracy, treatment, and one component of your choice.
Accuracy of portrayal of mental illness: how is the character shown to be mentally ill? Be specific, how is the illness communicated to viewers and to other actors in the film? Does the film say what the condition is? What are the “typical” symptoms and how are they displayed. Did you have to “diagnose” the condition? How did you do this? You need to include diagnosis data for the illness that is depicted in the movie. (40% of the paper)
Treatment recommendations: How is the illness “treated” in the movie you chose? What are the other treatments available? (especially if this movie is older, are there new therapies?) Work to develop a possible treatment plan for this character, but long term goals and researched positive influences are a great start (hey, you aren’t a psychiatrist yet!). Do cite all sources used and stick to reputable sources. (40% of the paper) Here is a great resource: http://psyweb.com/Mdisord/jsp/mental.jsp
Pick one of the three following points to address, choose one that applies to your film: (20% of the paper)
Professional ethics: How are the doctors and therapists depicted? What are their interactions with the ill character? How are these professionals helping or hurting the situation? Is(are) the professionals the "fool, buffoon, or genius" model of therapist depicted by the media, and give evidence for your choice. Perpetuation of stigma: What are the false/inaccurate statements or depictions of mental illness in the film? Are there accurate depictions within your movie? What was accurate or inaccurate and why do you think the movie makers chose to depict the mentally ill in this manner? Why are aspects of this illness so frequently misrepresented? Attitude change: How did one or two characters in the film (be precise about who) change over time in their attitudes towards mental illness? How did this film change your attitude about the depicted illness? Be precise in your analysis of the characters feelings and in your own.
Because templates are so helpful!
Para 1: Introduction to movie and the depiction of mental illness in the movie (your thesis sentence within this para will indicate what your three points are going to be.) This will be the only summary you have in the entire paper.
Para 2-?: Accuracy analysis of the movie: (this could be a few paragraphs if you are shooting for an Awesome grade!)
How is the character shown to be mentally ill?
How is the illness communicated to viewers of the film?
How did you “diagnose” the condition? (don’t say I in a formal paper, but this isn't a formal paper)
Include diagnosis data for the illness such as statistical prevalence (is it rare or common?) normal time of life for diagnosis, really get into why the diagnosis is what it is.
REMEMBER TO CITE YOUR SOURCES AND USE REPUTABLE SOURCES- ie not yahooanswers, or other encyclopedia websites. I really suggest NAMI, mayoclinic.org, not discussion boards.
Para 4ish-6ish: Treatment analysis and recommendation: (this could also be a few paragraphs)
How is the illness “treated” in the movie? Describe whatever is shown or talked about, give specific examples.
What treatments are available now, how would the character be treated today? (especially if this movie is older, are there new therapies?)
Second para: Develop a possible treatment plan for this character, not specific medications or anything, but what kind of therapy(or therapies)? What could be some long term goals for the person? REMEMBER TO CITE YOUR SOURCES AND USE REPUTABLE SOURCES
Para 7ish-?: Pick your third topic and answer the questions. Probably a paragraph, max two. No need to provide a summary paragraph, but it is a good rule of thumb to go back to your thesis sentence in the first para and make sure you hit all the points that you said you would address.
You must include an APA (American Psychological Association) formatted bibliography in order to receive a grade on this assignment.
Times New Roman, 12pt font, double spaced, don’t mess with the margins. Please create a cover page with title that also has your name on it. No need for a title elsewhere, but do number pages. No need for a shiny cover, save your cash.
As all of you have integrity, this is purely a formality, but if any piece of your writing is plagiarized, you will have earned no points on the assignment and your poor decision making (stealing, lying, cheating) will be reported to Ms. Deacon or Mr. Sheehan, your guidance counselor, Mr. Whitten, Mr. Sullivan, Dr. Conti, and your parents. Of course no assignment will be accepted without a bibliography in APA format.
You can do this! You will do a marvelous job with this!
Please see the list of movies to the right for this assignment. If your parents/guardians do not permit you to watch films with certain ratings, please do not use this assignment to go against their wishes. There is no real shortage of films concerning mental illness. Good ones are however in short supply. Choosing a movie because you saw it years ago is not a great way to find a good movie to analyze and write an excellent paper on. Choosing a movie because it is easy for you to get your hand on is not the best tactic either. From start to finish you have a few weeks to find, watch, analyze, and write. The paper is due May 21st, (25% off for each day late). You must get approval on your film if it is not on the list on this website. You will need to do research online in order to make treatment recommendations. I deleted the link to a larger list of movies that was here because people thought that was the approved list....even though it was clearly labeled as not approved.
In class we will discuss how the DSM works, what treatment plans are, and all that you need to know to complete this project. However, you must find and watch the movie on your own time.
You are not creating a summary or review of the movie; you are analyzing the characters’ portrayal of or reactions to mental illness. To do this, you will address three components of the film: accuracy, treatment, and one component of your choice.
Accuracy of portrayal of mental illness: how is the character shown to be mentally ill? Be specific, how is the illness communicated to viewers and to other actors in the film? Does the film say what the condition is? What are the “typical” symptoms and how are they displayed. Did you have to “diagnose” the condition? How did you do this? You need to include diagnosis data for the illness that is depicted in the movie. (40% of the paper)
Treatment recommendations: How is the illness “treated” in the movie you chose? What are the other treatments available? (especially if this movie is older, are there new therapies?) Work to develop a possible treatment plan for this character, but long term goals and researched positive influences are a great start (hey, you aren’t a psychiatrist yet!). Do cite all sources used and stick to reputable sources. (40% of the paper) Here is a great resource: http://psyweb.com/Mdisord/jsp/mental.jsp
Pick one of the three following points to address, choose one that applies to your film: (20% of the paper)
Professional ethics: How are the doctors and therapists depicted? What are their interactions with the ill character? How are these professionals helping or hurting the situation? Is(are) the professionals the "fool, buffoon, or genius" model of therapist depicted by the media, and give evidence for your choice.
Perpetuation of stigma: What are the false/inaccurate statements or depictions of mental illness in the film? Are there accurate depictions within your movie? What was accurate or inaccurate and why do you think the movie makers chose to depict the mentally ill in this manner? Why are aspects of this illness so frequently misrepresented?
Attitude change: How did one or two characters in the film (be precise about who) change over time in their attitudes towards mental illness? How did this film change your attitude about the depicted illness? Be precise in your analysis of the characters feelings and in your own.
Because templates are so helpful!
Para 1: Introduction to movie and the depiction of mental illness in the movie (your thesis sentence within this para will indicate what your three points are going to be.) This will be the only summary you have in the entire paper.
Para 2-?: Accuracy analysis of the movie: (this could be a few paragraphs if you are shooting for an Awesome grade!)
How is the character shown to be mentally ill?
How is the illness communicated to viewers of the film?
How did you “diagnose” the condition? (don’t say I in a formal paper, but this isn't a formal paper)
Include diagnosis data for the illness such as statistical prevalence (is it rare or common?) normal time of life for diagnosis, really get into why the diagnosis is what it is.
REMEMBER TO CITE YOUR SOURCES AND USE REPUTABLE SOURCES- ie not yahooanswers, or other encyclopedia websites. I really suggest NAMI, mayoclinic.org, not discussion boards.
Para 4ish-6ish: Treatment analysis and recommendation: (this could also be a few paragraphs)
How is the illness “treated” in the movie? Describe whatever is shown or talked about, give specific examples.
What treatments are available now, how would the character be treated today? (especially if this movie is older, are there new therapies?)
Second para: Develop a possible treatment plan for this character, not specific medications or anything, but what kind of therapy(or therapies)? What could be some long term goals for the person? REMEMBER TO CITE YOUR SOURCES AND USE REPUTABLE SOURCES
Para 7ish-?: Pick your third topic and answer the questions. Probably a paragraph, max two. No need to provide a summary paragraph, but it is a good rule of thumb to go back to your thesis sentence in the first para and make sure you hit all the points that you said you would address.
You must include an APA (American Psychological Association) formatted bibliography in order to receive a grade on this assignment.
Times New Roman, 12pt font, double spaced, don’t mess with the margins. Please create a cover page with title that also has your name on it. No need for a title elsewhere, but do number pages. No need for a shiny cover, save your cash.
As all of you have integrity, this is purely a formality, but if any piece of your writing is plagiarized, you will have earned no points on the assignment and your poor decision making (stealing, lying, cheating) will be reported to Ms. Deacon or Mr. Sheehan, your guidance counselor, Mr. Whitten, Mr. Sullivan, Dr. Conti, and your parents. Of course no assignment will be accepted without a bibliography in APA format.
You can do this! You will do a marvelous job with this!